Work

Measles outbreaks in Azerbaijan

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Background: Measles, a highly contagious, vaccine-preventable, airborne disease, resurged globally post-COVID-19 pandemic, and Azerbaijan reported 31 730 cases between January 2023 and June 2024. Aim: To analyse the measles outbreaks in Azerbaijan and propose prevention strategies. Methods: We collected and analysed secondary data on measles cases reported to the Hygiene and Epidemiological Centers of Azerbaijan for January 2023 to June 2024, including vaccination coverage data for 2017-2023. Results: A total of 13 207 cases were recorded in 2023, and this increased to 18 523 by June 2024. Of these cases, 52.2% were children aged 5-13 years in 2023 and 47.3% in 2024, while 42.1% of the cases in 2023 were hospitalised. Rural areas accounted for 52.6% of cases in 2023 and 51.9% in 2024. Measles-containing vaccine coverage decreased significantly nationwide in 2020-2021 during the COVID-19 pandemic: 78.9% coverage for first dose and 89.9% for second dose. Conclusion: Pandemic-related decrease in vaccination coverage caused measles outbreaks in Azerbaijan, which disproportionately affected children and rural populations. To prevent future outbreaks, there is a need to rapidly increase vaccination coverage, alongside awareness campaigns, and to strengthen surveillance systems.

Source: Eastern Mediterranean Health Journal

DOI: 10.26719/2026.32.1.44